Last week Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) announced its selection of the developer team to move forward with its mixed-use conversion of three city blocks surrounding the El Cerrito Plaza Station. Led by Emeryville-based Holliday Development and San Francisco-based Related California, the team also includes nonprofit developer Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), architects Van Meter Williams Pollack and PYATOK, landscape architects EinwillerKuehl, and modular construction company Factory_OS.

In July BART released a Request for Qualifications for developer teams.  The RFQ included prompts for design concepts responding to the 2014 San Pablo Avenue Specific Plan, which identified the BART parcels for TOD, and public meetings in 2019 that established goals and objectives for the property. The proposed concepts include 780 units of housing (49% of which reserved for families earning up to 80% Area Median Income (AMI), plus 12% “missing middle” housing), public open spaces, innovative financing approaches, and overall integration into the existing neighborhood. As part of the design process moving forward, community conversations will be held on components such as BART parking and the inclusion of a public library.

The project will contribute to BART’s systemwide plan to develop 20,000 housing units (35% affordable) by 2040. We’re excited to be a part of this important project bringing thoughtful, transit-oriented housing solutions and community spaces to El Cerrito.